JOURNAL OF TRAVEL RESEARCH

Designing a tourism spillover index based on multidestination travel: A two-stage distance-based modeling approach

Yang, Yang; Fik, Timothy J.; Zhang, Hong-lei

Abstract

The proliferation of multidestination trips provides valuable opportunities for regions to benefit from spillover effects generated by other regions nearby. To better understand the spatial patterns of multidestination travel, we propose a two-stage distance-based model. Results suggest that long-haul tourists (i.e., those who travel far from home) tend to choose a subsequent destination that is closer to the previous destination but farther away from their residences. In addition to sociodemographic and tripographic factors, we recognize the importance of spatial structure effects in determining the travel distance for a multidestination trip. Based on the model estimates, we propose a tourism spillover index to reflect a region’s potential to receive spillover benefits from multidestination tourists leaving a particular region. Finally, we discuss implications for marketing strategies to enhance the attraction potential of specific destinations.

Keywords

two-stage distance-based model; multidestination travel; spatial structure effect; tourism spillover index

Research topic

Tourist Flows and Location

Research method

Econometrics, Spatial Modeling

Geographic area

China

Additional links for this paper

ResearchGate

Publisher Website

Web of Science

HOW TO CITE

Yang, Y., Fik, T., and Zhang, H-L. (2017). Designing a tourism spillover index based on multidestination travel: A two-stage distance-based modeling approach. Journal of Travel Research, 56(3): 317-333.

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